THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1986 
___________ 
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
_________ 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent, commencement and application. 
2.  Definitions. 
3.  Act not in derogation of any other law. 

CHAPTER II 
CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCILS 

4.  The Central Consumer Protection Council. 
5.  Procedure for meetings of the Central Council. 
6.  Objects of the Central Council. 
7.  The State Consumer Protection Councils. 
8.  Objects of the State Council. 
8A. The District Consumer Protection Council. 
8B.  Objects of the District Council. 

CHAPTER III 
CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL AGENCIES 

9.  Establishment of Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies. 
10.  Composition of the District Forum. 
11.  Jurisdiction of the District Forum. 
12.  Manner in which complaint shall be made. 
13.  Procedure on admission of complaint. 
14.  Finding of the District Forum. 
15.  Appeal. 
16.  Composition of the State Commission. 
17.  Jurisdiction of the State Commission. 
17A. Transfer of cases. 
17B. Circuit Benches. 
18.  Procedure applicable to State Commissions. 
18A. [Omitted.] 
19.  Appeals.  
19A. Hearing of appeal. 
20.  Composition of the National Commission. 
21.  Jurisdiction of the National Commission. 
22. Power and procedure applicable to the National Commission. 
22A. Power to set aside ex parte orders. 
22B. Transfer of cases. 
22C. Circuit Benches. 
22D. Vacancy in the office of the President. 
22E. Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of President and Member. 
23. Appeal. 
24. Finality of orders. 

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SECTIONS 

24A. Limitation period. 
24B. Administrative control. 
25. Enforcement of orders of the District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission. 
26. Dismissal of frivolous or vexatious complaints. 
27. Penalties. 
27A. Appeal against order passed under section 27. 

CHAPTER IV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

28. Protection of action taken in good faith. 
28A. Service of notice, etc. 
29. Power to remove difficulties. 
29A. Vacancies or defects in appointment not to invalidate orders. 
30. Power to make rules. 
30A. Power of the National Commission to make regulations. 
31. Rules and regulations to be laid before each House of Parliament. 

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THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1986 

ACT NO. 68 OF 1986 

An Act to provide for the better protection of the interests of consumers and for that purpose to 
make  provision  for  the  establishment  of  consumer  councils  and  other  authorities  for  the 
settlement of consumers’ disputes and for matters connected therewith. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

[24th December, 1986.] 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.—(1) This Act may be called the Consumer 

Protection Act, 1986. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India except 1***. 

(3) It shall come into force on such date2 as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint and 

different dates may be appointed for different States and for different provisions of this Act. 

(4) Save as otherwise expressly provided by the Central Government by notification, this Act shall 

apply to all goods and services. 

2. Definitions.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

3[(a) “appropriate laboratory” means a laboratory or organisation— 

(i) recognised by the Central Government; 

(ii) recognised by a State Government, subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by the 

Central Government in this behalf; or 

(iii) any such laboratory or organisation established by or under any law for the time being in 
force, which is maintained, financed or aided by the Central Government or a State Government 
for  carrying  out  analysis  or  test  of  any  goods  with  a  view  to  determining  whether  such  goods 
suffer from any defect;] 

4[(aa) “branch office” means— 

(i) any establishment described as a branch by the opposite party; or 

(ii)  any  establishment  carring  on  either  the  same  or  substantially  the  same  activity  as  that 

carried on by the head office of the establishment;] 

(b) “complainant” means—  

(i) a consumer; or 

(ii)  any  voluntary  consumer  association  registered  under  the  Companies  Act,  1956                     

(1 of 1956) or under any other law for the time being in force; or 

(iii) the Central Government or any State Government, who or which makes a complaint;  

1.  The  words  “except  the  State  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir”  omitted  by  Act  34  of  2019,  s.  95  and  the  Fifth  Schedule                       

(w.e.f. 31-10- 2019). 

2. 15th April, 1987, vide notification No. S.O. 390(E), dated 15th April, 1987 in respect of Chapters I, II and IV, see Gazette of 

India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii). 
1st  July,  1987,  vide  notification  No.  S.O.  568(E),  dated  10th  June,  1987  in  respect  of  Chapter  III,  see  Gazette  of    India, 
Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).   

3. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

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1[(iv) one or more consumers, where there are numerous consumers having the same interest;] 
 2[(v) in case of dealth of a consumer, his legal heir or representative;] 

(c) “complaint” means any allegation in writing made by a complainant that— 

3[(i) an unfair trade practice or a restrictive trade practice has been adopted by 4[any trader or 

service provider];] 

(ii)  5[the  goods  bought  by  him  or  agreed  to  be  bought  by  him]  suffer  from  one  or  more 

defects; 

(iii) 6[the services hired or availed of or agreed to be hired or availed of by him] suffer from 

deficiency in any respect; 

7[(iv) a trader or the service provider, as the case may be, has charged for the goods or for the 

services mentioned in the complaint, a price in excess of the price— 

(a) fixed by or under any law for the time being in force; 

(b) displayed on the goods or any package containing such goods; 

(c) displayed on the price list exhibited by him by or under any law for the time being in 

force; 

(d) agreed between the parties; 

(v) goods which will be hazardous to life and safety when used are being offered for sale to 

the public,— 

(a) in contravention  of  any  standards relating  to  safety  of  such  goods  as required  to  be 

complied with, by or under any law for the time being in force; 

(b) if the trader could have known with due diligence that the goods so offered are unsafe 

to the public; 

(vi)  services  which  are  hazardous  or  likely  to  be  hazardous  to  life  and  safety  of  the  public 
when used, are being offered by the service provider which such person could have known with 
due diligence to be injurious to life and safety;]  

with a view to obtaining any relief provided by or under this Act; 

(d) “consumer” means any person who,— 

(i)  buys  any  goods for  a consideration  which has  been  paid  or  promised or partly  paid  and 
partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any user of such goods 
other than the person who buys such goods for consideration paid or promised or partly paid or 
partly  promised,  or  under  any  system  of  deferred  payment  when  such  use  is  made  with  the 
approval of such person, but does not include a person who obtains such goods for resale or for 
any commercial purpose; or 

(ii) 8[hires or avails of] any services for a consideration which has been paid or promised or 
partly  paid  and  partly  promised,  or  under  any  system  of  deferred  payment  and  includes  any 
beneficiary  of  such  services  other  than  the  person  who  8[hires  or  avails  of]  the  services  for 
consideration  paid  or  promised,  or  partly  paid  and  partly  promised,  or  under  any  system  of 
deferred  payment,  when  such  services  are  availed  of  with  the  approval  of  the  first  mentioned 
person 2[but does not include a person who avails of such services for any commercial purpose].  

1. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2, for clause (i) (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2, for “any trader” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2, for “the goods mentioned in the complaint” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
6. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the services mentioned in the complaint” (w.e.f 18-6-1993). 
7. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2, for sub-clauses (iv), (v) and (vi) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
8. Subs. by 50 of 1993, s. 2, for “hires” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

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1[Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “commecial purpose” does not include use 
by  a  person  of  goods  bought  and  used  by  him  and  services  availed  by  him  exclusively  for  the 
purposes of earning his livelihood by means of self-employment;] 

(e)  “consumer  dispute”  means  a  dispute  where  the  person  against  whom  a  complaint  has  been 

made, denies or disputes the allegations contained in the complaint; 

(f) “defect” means any fault, imperfection or shortcoming in the quality, quantity, potency, purity 
or  standard  which  is  required  to  be  maintained  by  or  under  any  law  for  the  time  being  in  force  or 
2[under any contract, express or implied, or] as is claimed by the trader in any manner whatsoever in 
relation to any goods; 

(g) “deficiency” means any fault, imperfection, shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature 
and manner of performance which is required to be maintained by or under any law for the time being 
in force or has been undertaken to be performed by a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in 
relation to any service; 

(h) “District Forum” means a Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum estalished under clause (a) of 

section 9; 

(i) “goods” means goods as defined in the Sale of Goods Act, 1930 (3 of 1930); 

 3[(j) “manufacturer” means a person who— 

(i) makes or manufactures any goods or parts thereof; or 

(ii)  does  not  make  or  manufacture  any  goods  but  assembles  parts  thereof  made  or 

manufactured by others; or 

(iii) puts or causes to be put his own mark on any goods made or manufactured by any other 

manufacturer;] 

Explanation.—Where a manufacturer despatches any goods or part thereof to any branch office 
maintained by him, such branch office shall not be deemed to be the manufacturer even though the 
parts  so  despatched  to it  are  assembled at such branch  office  and  are  sold  or  distributed from  such 
branch office; 

 2[(jj)  “member”  includes  the  President  and  a  member  of  the  National  Commission  or  a  State 

Commission or a District Forum, as the case may be;] 

(k)  “National  Commission”  means  the  National  Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Commission 

established under clause (c) of section 9; 

(l) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(m) “person” includes,— 

(i) a firm whether registered or not; 

(ii) a Hindu undivided family; 

(iii) a co-operative society; 

(iv)  every  other  association  of  persons  whether  registered  under  the  Societies  Registration 

Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or not; 

(n) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the State Government, or as the case may be, 

by the Central Government under this Act; 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2, for the Explanation (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
3. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2, for clause (j) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

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1[(nn) “regulation” means the regulations made by the National Commission under this Act; 

 (nnn) “restrictive trade practice” means a trade practice which tends to bring about manipulation 
of price or its conditions of delivery or to affect flow of supplies in the market relating to goods or 
services  in  such  a  manner as  to impose  on the  consumers  unjustified  costs or restrictions and  shall 
include— 

(a) delay beyond the period agreed to by a trader in supply of such goods or in providing the 

services which has led or is likely to lead to rise in the price; 

(b) any trade practice which requires a consumer to buy, hire or avail of any goods or, as the 
case  may  be,  services  as  condition  precedent  to  buying,  hiring  or  availing  of  other  goods  or 
services;] 
(o)  “service”  means service  of  any  description  which  is  made  available to  potential  2[users  and 
includes,  but  not  limited  to,  the  provision  of]  facilities  in  connection  with  banking,  financing, 
insurance,  transport,  processing,  supply  of  electrical  or  other  energy,  board  or  lodging  or  both, 
3[housing construction,] entertainment, amusement or the purveying of news or other information, but 
does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service; 

4[(oo)  “spurious  goods  and  services”  mean  such  goods  and  services  which  are  claimed  to  be 

genuine but they are actually not so;] 

(p)  “State  Commission”  means  a  Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Commission  established  in  a 

State under clause (b) of section 9; 

(q) “trader”, in relation to any goods means a person who sells or distributes any goods for sale 
and includes the manufacturer thereof, and where such goods are sold or distributed in package form, 
includes the packer thereof; 

5[(r) “unfair trade practice” means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, 
use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or 
deceptive practice including any of the following practices, namely:— 

(1)  the  practice  of  making  any  statement,  whether  orally  or  in  writing  or  by  visible 

representation which,— 

(i) falsely represents that the goods are of a particular standard, quality, quantity, grade, 

composition, style or model; 

(ii) falsely represents that the services are of a particular standard, quality or grade; 

(iii) falsely represents any re-built, second-hand, renovated, reconditioned or old goods as 

new goods; 

(iv)  represents  that  the  goods  or  services  have  sponsorship,  approval,  performance, 

characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits which such goods or services do not have; 

(v) represents that  the  seller  or the  supplier  has  a  sponsorship or approval  or  affiliation 

which such seller or supplier does not have; 

(vi) makes a false or misleading representation concerning the need for, or the usefulness 

of, any goods or services; 

(vii) gives to the public any warranty or guarantee of the performance, efficacy or length 

of life of a product or of any goods that is not based on an adequate or proper test thereof: 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2, for clause (nn) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “users and includes the provisions of” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 2, for clause (r) (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

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Provided that where a defence is raised to the effect that such warranty or guarantee is 
based on adequate or proper test, the burden of proof of such defence shall lie on the person 
raising such defence; 

(viii) makes to the public a representation in a form that purports to be— 

(i) a warranty or guarantee of a product or of any goods or services; or 

(ii) a promise to replace, maintain or repair an article or any part thereof or to repeat 

or continue a service until it has achieved a specified result,  

if such purported warranty or guarantee or promise is materially misleading or if there is no 
reasonable prospect that such warranty, guarantee or promise will be carried out; 

(ix)  materially  misleads  the  public  concerning  the  price  at  which  a  product  or  like 
products  or  goods  or  services,  have  been  or  are,  ordinarily  sold  or  provided,  and,  for  this 
purpose, a representation as to price shall be deemed to refer to the price at which the product 
or goods or services has or have been sold by sellers or provided by suppliers generally in the 
relevant market unless it is clearly specified to be the price at which the product has been sold 
or services have been provided by the person by whom or on whose behalf the representation 
is made; 

(x)  gives  false  or  misleading  facts  disparaging  the  goods,  services  or  trade  of  another 

person.  

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (1), a statement that is— 

(a)  expressed  on  an  article  offered  or  displayed  for  sale,  or  on  its  wrapper  or 

container; or 

(b)  expressed  on  anything  attached  to,  inserted  in,  or  accompanying,  an  article 
offered or displayed for sale, or on anything on which the article is mounted for display 
or sale; or 

(c)  contained  in  or  on  anything  that  is  sold,  sent,  delivered,  transmitted  or  in  any 

other manner whatsoever made available to a member of the public,  

shall be deemed to be a statement made to the public by, and only by, the person who had caused the 
statement to be so expressed, made or contained; 

(2) permits the publication of any advertisement whether in any newspaper or otherwise, for 
the sale or supply at a bargain price, of goods or services that are not intended to be offered for 
sale or supply at the bargain price, or for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable, 
having regard to the nature of the market in which the business is carried on, the nature and size 
of business, and the nature of the advertisement. 

Explanation.—For the purpose of clause (2), “bargaining price” means— 

(a)  a  price  that  is  stated  in  any  advertisement  to  be  a  bargain  price,  by  reference  to  an 

ordinary price or otherwise, or 

(b)  a  price  that  a  person  who  reads,  hears  or  sees  the  advertisement,  would  reasonably 
understand to be a bargain price having regard to the prices at which the product advertised or 
like products are ordinarily sold; 

(3) permits— 

(a) the offering of gifts, prizes or other items with the intention of not providing them as 
offered or creating impression that something is being given or offered free of charge when it 
is fully or partly covered by the amount charged in the transaction as a whole; 

(b)  the  conduct  of  any  contest,  lottery,  game  of  chance  or  skill,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  sale,  use  or  supply  of  any  product  or  any  business 
interest; 

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1[(3A) withholding from the participants of any scheme offering gifts, prizes or other items 

free of charge, on its closure the information about final results of the scheme. 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  sub-clause,  the  participants  of  a  scheme  shall  be 
deemed to have been informed of the final results of the scheme where such results are within a 
reasonable  time  published,  prominently  in  the  same  newspapers  in  which  the  scheme  was 
originally advertised]; 

(4) permits the sale or supply of goods intended to be used, or are of a kind likely to be used, 
by  consumers,  knowing  or  having  reason  to  believe  that  the  goods  do  not  comply  with  the 
standards  prescribed  by  competent  authority  relating  to  performance,  composition  contents, 
design,  constructions,  finishing  or  packaging  as  are  necessary  to  prevent  or  reduce  the  risk  of 
injury to the person using the goods; 

(5) permits the hoarding or destruction of goods, or refuses to sell the goods or to make them 
available  for  sale  or to  provide  any  service,  if  such  hoarding  or  destruction  or  refusal  raises  or 
tends to raise or is intended to raise, the cost of those or other similar goods or services]; 

 1[(6)  manufacture  of  spurious  goods  or  offering  such  goods  for  sale  or  adopting  deceptive 

practices in the provision of services.] 

(2) Any reference in this Act to any other Act or provision thereof which is not in force in any area to 
which  this  Act  applies  shall  be  construed  to  have  a  reference  to  the  corresponding  Act  or  provision 
thereof in force in such area. 

3. Act not in derogation of any other law.—The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and 

not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. 

CHAPTER II 

CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCILS 

4.  The  Central  Consumer  Protection  Council.—(1)  2[The  Central  Government  shall],  by 
notification, establish with effect from such date as it may specify in such notification, a Council to be 
known as the Central Consumer Protection Council (hereinafter referred to as the Central Council). 

(2) The Central Council shall consist of the following members, namely:— 

(a)  the  Minister  in  charge  of  3[consumer  affairs]  in  the  Central  Government,  who  shall  be  its 

Chairman, and 

(b) such number of other official or non-official members representing such interests as may be 

prescribed. 

5.  Procedure  for  meetings  of  the  Central  Council.—(1)  The  Central  Council  shall  meet  as  and 

when necessary, but 4[at least one meeting] of the Council shall be held every year. 

(2) The Central Council shall meet at such time and place as the Chairman may think fit and shall 

observe such procedure in regard to the transaction of its business as may be prescribed. 

6.  Objects  of  the  Central  Council.—The  objects  of  the  Central  Council  shall  be  to  promote  and 

protect the rights of the consumers such as,— 

(a) the right to be protected against the marketing of goods 5[and services] which are hazardous to 

to life and property; 

(b)  the  right  to  be  informed  about  the  quality,  quantity,  potency,  purity,  standard  and  price  of 

goods 5[or services, as the case may be,] so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices; 

1. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “The Central Government may” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 3, for “the Department of Food and Civil Supplies” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “not less than three meetings” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
5. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-6-1993).  

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(c)  the  right  to  be  assured,  wherever  possible,  access  to  a  variety  of  goods  1[and  services]  at 

competitive prices; 

(d) the right to be heard and to be assured that consumers’ interests will receive due consideration 

at appropriate forums; 

(e)  the  right  to  seek  redressal  against  unfair  trade  practices  1[or  restrictive  trade  practices]  or 

unscrupulous exploitation of consumers; and 

(f) the right to consumer education. 

7. The State Consumer Protection Councils.—(1)  2[The State Government shall], by notification, 
establish with effect from such date as it may specify in such notification, a Council to be known as the 
Consumer Protection Council for .......................(hereinafter referred to as the State Council). 

3[(2) The State Council shall consist of the following members, namely:— 

(a) the Minister incharge of consumer affairs in the State Government who shall be its Chairman; 

(b) such number of other official or non-official members representing such interests as may be 

prescribed by the State Governments; 

4[(c)  such  number  of  other  official  or  non-official  members,  not  exceeding  ten,  as  may  be 

nominated by the Central Government.] 

(3) The State Council shall meet as and when necessary but not less than two meetings shall be held 

every year. 

(4)  The  State  Council  shall  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  Chairman  may  think  fit  and  shall 
observe  such  procedure  in  regard  to  the  transaction  of  its  business  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government.] 

8. Objects of the State Council.—The objects of every State Council shall be to promote and protect 

within the State the rights of the consumers laid down in clauses (a) to (f) of section 6. 

5[8A.The  District  Consumer  Protection  Council.—(1)  The  State  Government  shall  establish  for 
every  district,  by  notification,  a  council to  be  known  as  the  District  Consumer  Protection  Council  with 
effect from such date as it may specify in such notification. 

(2)  The  District  Consumer  Protection  Council  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  District  Council)  shall 

consist of the following members, namely:— 

(a) the Collector of the district (by whatever name called), who shall be its Chairman; and 

(b) such number of other official and non-official members representing such interests as may 

be prescribed by the State Government. 

(3) The  District  Council  shall  meet  as  and  when  necessary  but  not less  than  two  meetings  shall  be 

held every year. 

(4) The District Council shall meet as such time and place within the district as the Chairman may 
think fit and shall observe such procedure in regard to the transaction of its business as may be prescribed 
by the State Government. 

8B. Objects of the District Council.—The objects of every District Council shall be to promote and 

protect within the district the rights of the consumers laid down in clauses (a) to (f) of section 6.] 

1. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 5 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 4, for “The State Government may” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 6, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 4 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

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CHAPTER III 

CONSUMER DISPUTE REDRESSAL AGENCIES 

9.  Establishment  of  Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Agencies.—There shall be  established  for the 

purposes of this Act, the following agencies, namely:— 

(a) a Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum to be known as the “District Forum” established by the 

State Government 1*** in each district of the State by notification: 

2[Provided that the State Government may, if it deems fit, establish more than one District Forum 

in a district.] 

(b)  a  Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Commission  to  be  known  as  the  “State  Commission” 

established by the State Government 1*** in the State by notification; and 

(c) a National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission established by the Central Government 

by notification. 
10. Composition of the District Forum.—3[(1) Each District Forum shall consist of— 

(a) a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be a District Judge, who shall be its President; 
4[(b)  two  other  members,  one  of  whom  shall  be  a  woman,  who  shall  have  the  following 

qualifications, namely:— 

(i) be not less than thirty-five years of age, 
(ii) possesss a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, 
(iii)  be  persons  of  ability,  integrity  and  standing,  and  have  adequate  knowledge  and 
experience  of  at  least  ten  years  in  dealing  with  problems  relating  to  economics,  law, 
commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration: 

Provided that a persons shall be disqualified for appointment as a member, if he— 

(a)  has  been  convicted  and  sentenced  to  imprisonment  for  an  offence  which,  in  the 

opinion of the State Government, involves moral turpitude; or 

(b) is an undischarged insolvent; or 

(c) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or 

(d)  has  been  removed  or  dismissed  from  the  service  of  the  Government  or  a  body 

corporate owned or controlled by the Government; or 

(e)  has,  in  the  opinion  of  the  State  Government,  such  financial  or  other  interest as  is 

likely to affect prejudicially the discharge by him of his functions as a member; or 

(f) has such other disqualifications as may be prescribed by the State Government;]] 

5[(1A)  Every  appointment  under sub-section  (1)  shall be  made  by  the  State  Government  on the 

recommendation of a selection committee consisting of the following, namely:— 

(i) President of the State Commission  

(ii) Secretary, Law Department of the State  

 —Chairman, 

 —Member, 

(iii) Secretary, incharge of the Department dealing  

      with cunsumer affairs in the State                 
6[Provided that where the President of the State Commission is, by reason of absence or otherwise, 
unable to act as Chairman of the Selection Committee, the State Government may refer the matter to the 
Chief Justice of the High Court for nominating a sitting Judge of that High Court to act as Chairman.] 

—Member:]  

1. The words “with the prior approval of the Central Government” omitted by Act 50 of 1993, s. 7 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
3. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 6, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 8 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
6. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 6 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
1[(2) Every member of the District Forum shall hold office for a term of five years or up to the age of 

sixty-five years, whichever is earlier: 

Provided that a member shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term of five years or up to the 
age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier, subject to the condition that he fulfils the qualifications and 
other conditions for appointment mentioned in clause (b) of sub-section (1) and such re-appointment is 
also made on the basis of the recommendation of the Selection Committee: 

Provided further that a member may resign his office in writing under his hand addressed to the State 
Government and on such resignation being accepted, his office shall become vacant and may be filled by 
appointment of a person possessing any of the qualifications mentioned in sub-section (1) in relation to 
the category of the member who is required to be appointed under the provisions of sub-section (1A) in 
place of the person who has resigned: 

Provided also that a person appointed as the President or as a member, before the commencement of 
the  Consumer  Protection  (Amendment)  Act,  2002  (62  of  2002),  shall  continue  to  hold  such  office  as 
President or member, as the case may be, till the completion of his term.] 

(3) The salary or honorarium and other allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of 
service  of  the  members  of  the  District  Forum  shall  be  such  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government: 

2[Provided  that  the  appointment  of  a  member  on  whole-time  basis  shall  be  made  by  the  State 
Government on the recommendation of the President of the State Commission taking into consideration 
such factors as may be prescribed including the work load of the District Forum.] 

11. Jurisdiction of the District Forum.—(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the District 
Forum  shall  have  jurisdiction  to  entertain  complaints  where  the  value  of  the  goods  or  services  and  the 
compensation, if any, claimed 3[does not exceed rupees twenty lakhs]. 

(2) A complaint shall be instituted in a District Forum within the local limits of whose jurisdiction,—  

(a) the opposite party or each of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time 
of the institution of the complaint, actually and voluntarily resides or  4[carries on business or has a 
branch office or] personally works for gain; or 

(b) any of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the 
complaint,  actually  and  voluntarily  resides,  or  5[carries  on  business  or  has  a  branch  office],  or 
personally works for gain, provided that in such case either the permission of the District Forum is 
given, or the opposite parties who do not reside, or  6[carry on business or have a branch office], or 
personally work for gain, as the case may be, acquiesce in such institution; or 

(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises. 

7[12. Manner in which complaint shall be made.—(1) A complaint in relation to any goods sold or 
delivered or agreed to be sold or delivered or any service provided or agreed to be provided may be filed 
with a District Forum by— 

(a) the consumer to whom such goods are sold or delivered or agreed to be sold or delivered or 

such service provided or agreed to be provided; 

(b)  any  recognised  consumer  association  whether  the  consumer  to  whom  the  goods  sold  or 
delivered or agreed to be sold or delivered or service provided or agreed to be provided is a member 
of such association or not; 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002,  s. 6, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Ins. by s. 6, ibid.  (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for “does not exceed rupees five lakhs” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003) 
4. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 9, for “carries on business or” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
5. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “carries on business” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
6. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “carry on business” (w.e.f 18-6-1993). 
7. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 8, for section 12 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
. 

11 

 
                                                           
(c) one or more consumers, where there are numerous consumers having the same interest, with 
the permission of the District Forum, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, all consumers so interested; or 

(d) the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, either in its individual 

capacity or as a representative of interests of the consumers in general. 

(2) Every complaint filed under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied with such amount of fee and 

payable in such manner as may be prescribed. 

(3) On receipt of a complaint made under sub-section (1), the District Forum may, by order, allow the 

complaint to be proceeded with or rejected: 

Provided that a complaint shall not be rejected under this sub-section unless an opportunity of being 

heard has been given to the complainant: 

Provided further that the admissibility of the complaint shall ordinarily be decided within twenty-one 

days from the date on which the complaint was received. 

(4) Where a complaint is allowed to be proceeded with under sub-section (3), the District Forum may 

proceed with the complaint in the manner provided under this Act: 

Provided that where a complaint has been admitted by the District Forum, it shall not be transferred to 

any other court or tribunal or any authority set up by or under any other law for the time being in force. 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  “recognised  consumer  association”  means  any 
voluntary consumer association registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or any other law 
for the time being in force.] 

13.  1[Procedure  on  admission  of  complaint].—(1)  The  District  Forum  shall,  2[on  admission  of  a 

complaint], if it relates to any goods,— 

3[(a)  refer  a  copy  of  the  admitted  complaint,  within  twenty-one  days  from  the  date  of  its 
admission to the opposite party mentioned in the complaint directing him to give his version of the 
case  within  a  period  of  thirty  days  or  such  extended  period  not  exceeding  fifteen  days  as  may  be 
granted by the District Forum;] 

(b) where the opposite party on receipt of a complaint referred to him under clause (a) denies or 
disputes the allegations contained in the complaint, or omits or fails to take any action to represent his 
case  within  the  time  given  by  the  District  Forum,  the  District  Forum  shall  proceed  to  settle  the 
consumer dispute in the manner specified in clauses (c) to (g); 

(c) where the complaint alleges a defect in the goods which cannot be determined without proper 
analysis  or  test  of  the  goods,  the  District  Forum  shall  obtain  a  sample  of  the  goods  from  the 
complainant, seal it and authenticate it in the manner prescribed and refer the sample so sealed to the 
appropriate laboratory along with a direction that such laboratory make an analysis or test, whichever 
may be necessary, with a view to finding out whether such goods suffer from any defect alleged in the 
complaint or from any other defect and to report its findings thereon to the District Forum within a 
period  of  forty-five  days  of  the  receipt  of  the  reference  or  within  such  extended  period  as  may  be 
granted by the District Forum; 

(d) before any sample of the goods is referred to any appropriate laboratory under clause (c), the 
District Forum may require the complainant to deposit to the credit of the Forum such fees as may be 
specified, for payment to the appropriate laboratory for carrying out the necessary analysis or test in 
relation to the goods in question; 

(e)  the  District  Forum  shall  remit  the  amount  deposited  to  its  credit  under  clause  (d)  to  the 
appropriate  laboratory  to  enable  it  to  carry  out  the  analysis  or  test  mentioned  in  clause  (c)  and  on 
receipt of the report from the appropriate laboratory, the District Forum shall forward a copy of the 
report along with such remarks as the District Forum may feel appropriate to the opposite party; 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 9, for “Procedure on receipt of complaint.” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “on receipt of a complaint” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for clause (a) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

12 

 
                                                           
(f) if any of the parties disputes the correctness of the findings of the appropriate laboratory, or 
disputes the correctness of the methods of analysis or test adopted by the appropriate laboratory, the 
District Forum shall require the opposite party or the complainant to submit in writing his objections 
in regard to the report made by the appropriate laboratory; 

(g) the District Forum shall thereafter give a reasonable opportunity to the complainant as well as 
the  opposite  party  of  being  heard  as  to  the  correctness  or  otherwise  of  the  report  made  by  the 
appropriate laboratory and also as to the objection made in relation thereto under clause (f) and issue 
an appropriate order under section 14. 
(2) The District Forum shall, if the 1[complaints admitted] by it under section 12 relates to goods in 
respect of which the procedure specified in sub-section (1) cannot be followed, or if the complaint relates 
to any services,— 

(a) refer a copy of such complaint to the opposite party  directing him to give his version of 
the case within a period of thirty days or such extended period not exceeding fifteen days as may 
be granted by the District Forum; 

(b)  where  the  opposite  party,  on  receipt  of  a  copy  of  the  complaint,  referred  to  him  under 
clause (a) denies or disputes the allegations contained in the complaint, or omits or fails to take 
any  action to represent his case within the time given by the District Forum, the District Forum 
shall proceed to settle the consumer dispute,— 

(i)  on  the  basis  of  evidence  brought  to  its  notice  by  the  complainant  and  the  opposite 
party, where the opposite party denies or disputes the allegations contained in the complaint, 
or 

(ii) 2[ex parte on the basis of evidence] brought to its notice by the complainant where the 
opposite party omits or fails to take any action to represent his case within the time given by 
the Forum. 
3[(c) where the complainant fails to appear on the date of hearing before the District Forum, 

the District Forum may either dismiss the complaint for default or decide it on merits.] 

(3)  No  proceedings  complying  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in  sub-sections  (1)  and  (2)  shall  be 
called in question in any court on the ground that the principles of natural justice have not been complied 
with. 

 3[(3A) Every complaint shall be heard as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to 
decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party 
where  the  complaint  does  not  require  analysis  or  testing  of  commodities  and  within  five  months,  if  it 
requires analysis or testing of commodities: 

Provided that no adjournment shall be ordinarily granted by the District Forum unless sufficient cause 

is shown and the reasons for grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the Forum: 

Provided  further  that  the  District  Forum  shall  make  such  orders  as  to  the  costs  occasioned  by  the 

adjournment as may be provided in the regulations made under this Act: 

Provided  also  that  in  the  event  of  a  complaint  being  disposed  of  after  the  period  so  specified,  the 
District  Forum  shall  record  in  writing,  the  reasons  for  the  same  at  the  time  of  disposing  of  the  said 
complaint. 

(3B)  Where  during  the  pendency  of  any  proceeding  before  the  District  Forum,  it  appears  to  it 
necessary, it may pass such interim order as is just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.] 

(4) For the purposes of this section, the District Forum shall have the same powers as are vested in a 
civil  court  under  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure,  1908  (5  of  1908)  while  trying  a  suit  in  respect  of  the 
following matters, namely:— 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 9, for “complaint received” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “on the basis of evidence” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

13 

 
                                                           
(i) the summoning and enforcing the attendance of any defendant or witness and examining the 

witness on oath;  

(ii)  the  discovery  and  production  of  any  document  or  other  material  object  producible  as 

evidence;  

(iii) the reception of evidence on affidavits; 

(iv)  the  requisitioning  of  the  report  of  the  concerned  analysis  or  test  from  the  appropriate 

laboratory or from any other relevant source; 

(v) issuing of any commission for the examination of any witness; and 

(vi) any other matter which may be prescribed. 

(5) Every proceeding before the District Forum shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the 
meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and the District Forum shall be 
deemed to be a civil court for the purposes of section 195, and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal 
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).  

1[(6)  Where  the  complainant  is  a  consumer  referred  to  in  sub-clause  (iv)  of  clause  (b)  of                         

sub-section (1) of section 2, the provisions of rule 8 of Order I of the First Schedule to the Code of Civil 
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) shall apply subject to the modification that every reference therein to a suit 
or decree shall be construed as a reference to a complaint or the order of the District Forum thereon.] 

 2[(7) In the event of death of a complainant who is a consumer or of the opposite party against whom 
the complaint has been filed, the provisions  of Order XXII of the First Scheduled to the Code of Civil 
Procedure,  1908  (5  of  1908)  shall  apply  subject  to  the  modification  that  every  reference  therein  to  the 
plaintiff and the defendant shall be construed as reference to a complainant or the opposite party, as the 
case may be.] 

14.  Finding  of  the  District  Forum.—(1)  If,  after  the  proceeding  conducted  under  section  13,  the 
District Forum is satisfied that the goods complained against suffer from any of the defects specified in 
the complaint or that any of the allegations contained in the complaint about the services are proved, it 
shall  issue  an  order  to  the  opposite  party  directing  him  to  3[do]  one  or  more  of  the  following  things, 
namely:— 

(a) to remove the defect pointed out by the appropriate laboratory from the goods in question;  

(b)  to  replace  the  goods  with  new  goods  of  similar  description  which  shall  be  free  from  any 

defect;  

(c)  to  return  to  the  complainant  the  price,  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  charges  paid  by  the 

complainant;  

(d) to pay such amount as may be awarded by it as compensation to the consumer for any loss or 

injury suffered by the consumer due to the negligence of the opposite party: 

4[Provided  that  the  District  Forum  shall  have  the  power  to  grant  punitive  damages  in  such 

circumstances as it deems fit;] 

5[(e) to 6[remove the defects in goods] or deficiencies in the services in question; 

1. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 11 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 9 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 12, for “take” (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
4. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 10 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 12 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
6. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 10, for “remove the defects” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

14 

 
 
 
                                                           
(f) to discontinue the unfair trade practice or the restrictive trade practice or not to repeat them; 

(g) not to offer the hazardous goods for sale; 

(h) to withdraw the hazardous goods from being offered for sale; 
1[(ha)  to  cease  manufacture  of  hazardous  goods  and  to  desist  from  offering  services  which  are 

hazardous in nature; 

(hb) to pay such sum as may be determined by it, if it is of the opinion that loss or injury has been 

suffered by a large number of consumers who are not identifiable conveniently: 

Provided that the minimum amount of sum so payable shall not be less than five per cent. of the 

value of such defective goods sold or services provided, as the case may be, to such consumers: 

Provided  further  that  the  amount  so  obtained  shall  be credited  in  favour  of  such  person  and 

utilized in such manner as may be prescribed; 

(hc) to issue corrective advertisement to neutralize the effect of misleading advertisement at the 

cost of the opposite party responsible for issuing such misleading advertisement;] 

(i) to provide for adequate costs to parties.] 

  2[(2)  Every  proceeding  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  conducted  by  the  President  of  the 

District Forum and at least one member thereof sitting together: 

3[Provided that where a member, for any reason, is unable to conduct a proceeding till it is completed, 
the President and the other member shall continue the proceeding from the stage at which it was last heard 
by the previous member.] 

(2A) Every order made by the District Forum under sub-section (1) shall be signed by its President 

and the member or members who conducted the proceeding:  

Provided that where the proceeding is conducted by the President and one member and they differ on 
any point or points, they shall state the point or points on which they differ and refer the same to the other 
member  for  hearing  on  such  point  or  points  and  the  opinion  of  the  majority  shall  be  the  order  of  the 
District Forum.] 

(3) Subject to the foregoing provisions, the procedure relating to the conduct of the meetings of the 
District Forum, its sittings and other matters shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

15. Appeal.—Any person aggrieved by an order made by the District Forum  may prefer an appeal 
against such order to the State Commission within a period of thirty days from the date of the order, in 
such form and manner as may be prescribed: 

Provided  that  the  State  Commission  may  entertain  an  appeal  after  the  expiry  of  the  said  period  of 

thirty days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period: 

4[Provided further that no appeal by a person, who is required to pay any amount in terms of an order 
of the District Forum, shall be entertained by the State Commission unless the appellant has deposited in 
the prescribed manner fifty per cent. of that amount or twenty-five thousand rupees, whichever is less.] 

16. Composition of the State Commission.—(1) Each State Commission shall consist of— 

(a) a person who is or has been a Judge of a High Court, appointed by the State Government, who 

shall be its President: 
5[Provided  that  no  appointment  under  this  clause  shall  be  made  except  after  consultation  with  the 

Chief Justice of the High Court;] 

1. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 10 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 34 of 1991, s. 2, for the sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 15-6-1991). 
3. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 10, for the proviso (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. Ins. by s. 11, ibid.  (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 13 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

15 

 
                                                           
 1[(b) not less than two, and not more than such number of members, as may be prescribed, and 

one of whom shall be a woman, who shall have the following qualifications, namely:— 

(i) be not less than thirty-five years of age; 

(ii) possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university; and 

(iii)  be  persons  of  ability,  integrity  and  standing,  and  have  adequate  knowledge  and 
experience of at least ten years in dealing with problems relating to  economics, law, commerce, 
accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration: 

Provided that not more than fifty per cent. of the members shall be from amongst persons having a 

judicial background. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the expression “persons having a judicial background” 
shall  mean  persons  having  knowledge  and  experience  for  at  least  a  period  of  ten  years  as  a  presiding 
officer at the district level court or any tribunal at equivalent level: 

Provided further that a person shall be disqualified for appointment as a member, if he— 

(a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which, in the opinion of the 

State Government, involves moral turpitude; or 

(b) is an undischarged insolvent; or 

(c) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or 

(d)  has  been  removed  or  dismissed  from  the  service  of  the  Government  or  a  body  corporate 

owned or controlled by the Government; or 

(e)  has,  in  the  opinion  of  the  State  Government,  such  financial  or  other  interest,  as  is  likely  to 

affect prejudicially the discharge by him of his functions as a member; or 

(f) has such other disqualifications as may be prescribed by the State Government.] 

2[(1A)  Every  appointment  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  made  by  the  State  Government  on  the 

recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the following members, namely:— 

(i) President of the State Commission     — Chairman; 

(ii)  Secretary  of  the  Law  Department 

— Member; 

of the State   

(iii) 

Secretary 

incharge 

of                            

— Member: 

the  Department  dealing  with  Consumer 
Affairs in the State 

Provided  that  where  the  President  of  the  State  Commission  is,  by  reason  of  absence  or  otherwise, 
unable to act as Chairman of the Selection Committee, the State Government may refer the matter to the 
Chief Justice of the High Court for nominating a sitting Judge of that High Court to act as Chairman. 

(1B) (i) The jurisdiction, powers and authority of the State Commission may be exercised by Benches 

thereof. 

(ii)  A  Bench  may  be  constituted  by  the  President  with  one  or  more  members  as  the  President  may 

deem fit. 

(iii) If the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the points shall be decided according to 
the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority, but if the members are equally divided, they shall state 
the point or points on which they differ, and make a reference to the President who shall either hear the 
point or points himself or refer the case for hearing on such point or points by one or more or the other 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 12, for clause (b) and the proviso (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

16 

 
                                                           
members  and  such  point  or  points  shall  be  decided  according  to  the  opinion  of  the majority  of  the 
members who have heard the case, including those who first heard it.] 

(2) The salary or honorarium and other allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of 
service  1*** of, the members of the State Commission shall be such as may be  prescribed by the State 
Government:  

2[Provided  that  the  appointment  of  a  member  on  whole-time  basis  shall  be  made  by  the  State 
Government on the recommendation of the President of the State Commission taking into consideration 
such factors as may be prescribed including the work load of the State Commission.] 

3[(3) Every member of the State Commission shall hold office for a term of five years or up to the age 

of sixty-seven years, whichever is earlier: 

Provided that a member shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term of five years or up to the 
age of sixty-seven years, whichever is earlier, subject to the condition that he fulfils the qualifications and 
other conditions for appointment mentioned in clause (b) of sub-section (1) and such re-appointment is 
made on the basis of the recommendation of the Selection Committee: 

Provided further that a person appointed as a President of the State Commission shall also be eligible 

for re-appointment in the manner provided in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of this section: 

Provided also that a member may resign his office in writing under his hand addressed to the State 
Government and on such resignation being accepted, his office shall become vacant and may be filled by 
appointment of a person possessing any of the qualifications mentioned in sub-section (1) in relation to 
the category of the member who is required to be appointed under the provisions of sub-section (1A) in 
place of the person who has resigned. 

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), a person appointed as the President or as a 
member, before the commencement of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (62 of 2002), 
shall continue to hold such office as President or member, as the case may be, till the completion of his 
term.] 

17.  Jurisdiction  of  the  State  Commission.—4[(1)]  Subject  to  the  other  provisions  of  this  Act,  the 

State Commission shall have jurisdiction— 

(a) to entertain— 

(i)  complaints  where  the  value  of  the  goods  or  services  and  compensation,  if  any,  claimed 

5[exceeds rupees twenty lakhs but does not exceed rupees one crore]; and 

(ii) appeals against the orders of any District Forum within the State; and 

(b) to call for the records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute which is pending 
before  or  has  been  decided  by  any  District  Forum  within  the  State,  where  it  appears  to  the  State 
Commission that such District Forum has exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law, or has failed 
to exercise a jurisdiction so vested or has acted in exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material 
irregularity.  
6[(2) A complaint shall be instituted in a State Commission within the limits of whose jurisdiction,— 
(a) the opposite party or each of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time 
of  the  institution  of  the  complaint,  actually  and  voluntarily  resides  or  carries  on  business  or  has  a 
branch office or personally works for gain; or 

(b) any of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the 
complaint, actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business or has a branch office or personally 
works for gain, provided that in such case either the permission of the State Commission is given or 
the  opposite  parties  who  do  not  reside  or  carry  on  business  or  have  a  branch  office  or  personally 
works for gain, as the case may be, acquiesce in such institution; or 

1. The brackets and words “(including tenure of office)” omitted by Act 50 of 1993, s. 13 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 12 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for sub-sections (3) and (4) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. S. 17 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 13, ibid (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “exceeds rupees five lakhs but does not exceed rupees twenty lakhs” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
6. Ins. by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

17 

 
                                                           
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises.] 

1[17A.  Transfer  of  cases.—On  the  application  of  the  complainant  or  of  its  own  motion,  the  State 
Commission  may,  at  any  stage  of  the  proceeding,  transfer  any  complaint  pending  before  the  District 
Forum to another District Forum within the State if the interest of justice so requires. 

17B. Circuit Benches.—The State Commission shall ordinarily function in the State Capital but may 
perform  its  functions  at  such  other  place  as  the  State  Government  may,  in  consultation  with  the  State 
Commission, notify in the Official Gazette, from time to time.] 

18. Procedure applicable to State Commissions.—2[The provisions of sections 12, 13 and 14 and 
the  rules  made  thereunder]  for  the  disposal  of  complaints  by  the  District  Forum  shall,  with  such 
modifications as may be necessary, be applicable to the disposal of disputes by the State Commission. 

18A. [Vacancy in the office of the President.]—Omitted by the Consumer Protection (Amendment) 

Act, 2002 (62 of 2002), s. 15 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

19. Appeals.—Any person aggrieved by an order made by the State Commission in exercise of its 
powers conferred by sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of section 17 may prefer an appeal against such order to 
the  National  Commission  within  a  period  of  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  the  order  in  such  form  and 
manner as may be prescribed: 

Provided that the National Commission may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of 

thirty days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period: 

3[Provided further that no appeal by a person, who is required to pay any amount in terms of an order 
of  the  State  Commission,  shall  be  entertained  by  the  National  Commission  unless  the  appellant  has 
deposited in the prescribed manner fifty per cent. of the amount or rupees thirty-five thousand, whichever 
is less.] 

4[19A.  Hearing  of  appeal.—An  appeal  filed  before  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission shall be heard as expeditiously as possible and an endeavour shall be made to finally dispose 
of the appeal within a period of ninety days from the date of its admission: 

Provided  that  no  adjournment  shall  be  ordinarily  granted  by  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission,  as  the  case  may  be,  unless  sufficient  cause  is  shown  and  the  reasons  for  grant  of 
adjournment have been recorded in writing by such Commission: 

Provided  further that  the  State  Commission  or  the  National  Commission,  as the  case  may  be,  shall 
make such orders as to the costs occasioned by the  adjournment as may be provided in the regulations 
made under this Act: 

Provided also that in the event of an appeal being disposed of after the period so specified, the State 
Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, shall record in writing the reasons for the 
same at the time of disposing of the said appeal.] 

20. Composition of the National Commission.—(1) The National Commission shall consist of— 

(a) a  person  who  is  or has  been a Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  to  be appointed  by  the  Central 

Government, who shall be its President: 

5[Provided that no appointment under this clause shall be made except after consultation with the 

Chief Justice of India;] 

1. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 15, for “The procedure specified in sections 12, 13 and 14 and under the rules made thereunder”                       

(w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

3. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. Ins. by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 16 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

18 

 
                                                           
1[(b) not less than four, and not more than such number of members, as may be prescribed, and 

one of whom shall be a woman, who shall have the following qualifications, namely:— 

(i) be not less than thirty-five years of age; 

(ii) possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university; and 

(iii)  be  persons  of  ability,  integrity  and  standing  and  have  adequate  knowledge  and 
experience of at least ten years in dealing with problems relating to economics, law, commerce, 
accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration: 

Provided that not more than fifty per cent. of the members shall be from amongst the persons having 

a judicial background. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the expression “persons having judicial background” 
shall  mean  persons  having  knowledge  and  experience  for  at  least  a  period  of  ten  years  as  a  presiding 
officer at the district level court or any tribunal at equivalent level: 

Provided further that a person shall be disqualified for appointment, if he— 

(a) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which, in the opinion of the 

Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or 

(b) is an undischarged insolvent; or 

(c) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or 

(d)  has  been  removed  or  dismissed  from  the  service  of  the  Government  or  a  body  corporate 

owned or controlled by the Government; or 

(e) has, in the opinion of the Central Government, such financial or other interest as is likely to 

affect prejudicially the discharge by him of his functions as a member; or 

(f) has such other disqualifications as may be prescribed by the Central Government: 

Provided also that every appointment under this clause shall be made by the Central Government on 

the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the following, namely:— 

 (a) a person who is a Judge of the 
Supreme  Court,  to  be  nominated  by 
the Chief Justice of India 

(b) the Secretary in the Department 
of Legal Affairs in the Government of 
India 

 (c)  Secretary  of  the  Department 
dealing  with  Consumer  Affairs in the 
Government of India 

   —Chairman; 

—Member; 

—Member.] 

2[(1A)  (i)  The  jurisdiction,  powers  and  authority  of  the  National  Commission  may  be  exercised  by 

Benches thereof. 

(ii)  A  Bench  may  be  constituted  by  the  President  with  one  or  more  members  as  the  President  may 

deem fit. 

(iii) If the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the points shall be decided according to 
the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority, but if the members are equally divided, they shall state 
the point or points on which they differ, and make a reference to the President who shall either hear the 
point or points himself or refer the case for hearing on such point or points by one or more or the other 
members  and  such  point  or  points  shall  be  decided  according  to  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of  the 
members who have heard the case, including those who first heard it.] 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 18, for clause (b) and the proviso (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Ins. by s. 18, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

19 

 
                                                           
 (2) The salary or honorarium and other allowances payable to and the other terms and conditions of 
service  1***  of  the  members  of  the  National  Commission  shall  be  such  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the 
Central Government. 

2[(3) Every member of the National Commission shall hold office for a term of five years or up to the 

age of seventy years, whichever is earlier: 

Provided that a member shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term of five years or up to the 
age  of  seventy  years,  whichever  is  earlier,  subject to the condition that  he  fulfils  the  qualifications  and 
other conditions for appointment mentioned in clause (b) of sub-section (1) and such re-appointment is 
made on the basis of the recommendation of the Selection Committee: 

Provided  further  that  a  person  appointed  as  a  President  of  the  National  Commission  shall  also  be 

eligible for re-appointment in the manner provided in clause (a) of sub-section (1): 

Provided also that a member may resign his office in writing under his hand addressed to the Central 
Government and on such resignation being accepted, his office shall become vacant and may be filled by 
appointment of a person possessing any of the qualifications mentioned in sub-section (1) in relation to 
the category of the member who is required to be appointed under the provisions of sub-section (1A) in 
place of the person who has resigned. 

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), a person appointed as a President or as a 
member  before  the  commencement  of  the  Consumer  Protection  (Amendment)  Act,  2002  (62  of  2002) 
shall continue to hold such office as President or member, as the case may be, till the completion of his 
term.] 

21.  Jurisdiction  of  the  National  Commission.—Subject  to  the  other  provisions  of  this  Act,  the 

National Commission shall have jurisdiction— 

(a) to entertain— 

(i)  complaints  where  the  value  of  the  goods  or  services  and  compensation,  if  any,  claimed 

exceeds 3[rupees one crore]; and  

(ii) appeals against the orders of any State Commission; and  

(b) to call for the records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute  which is pending 
before or has been decided by any State Commission where it appears to the National Commission 
that  such  State  Commission  has  exercised  a  jurisdiction  not  vested  in  it  by  law,  or  has  failed  to 
exercise  a  jurisdiction  so  vested,  or  has  acted  in  the  exercise  of  its  jurisdiction  illegally  or  with 
material irregularity. 
4[22.  Power  and  procedure  applicable  to  the  National  Commission.—(1)  The  provisions  of 
sections 12, 13 and 14 and the rules made thereunder for the disposal of complaints by the District Forum 
shall, with such modifications as may be considered necessary by the Commission, be applicable to the 
disposal of disputes by the National Commission. 

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the National Commission shall 

have the power to review any order made by it, when there is an error apparent on the face of record. 

22A. Power to set aside ex parte orders.—Where an order is passed by the National Commission  ex 
parte against the opposite party or a complainant, as the case may be, the aggrieved party may apply to 
the Commission to set aside the said order in the interest of justice. 

22B. Transfer of cases.—On the application of the complainant or of its own motion, the National 
Commission may, at any stage of the proceeding, in the interest of justice, transfer any complaint pending 

1. The brackets and words “(including tenure of office)” omitted by Act 50 of 1993, s. 16 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
2. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 18, for sub-sections (3) and (4) (w.e.f. 15-3-2003).  
3. Subs. by s. 19, ibid., for “rupees twenty lakhs” (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. Subs. by s. 20, ibid., for section 22 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

20 

 
                                                           
 
before  the  District  Forum  of  one  State  to  a  District  Forum  of  another  State  or  before  one  State 
Commission to another State Commission. 

22C.  Circuit  Benches.—The  National  Commission  shall  ordinarily  function  at  New  Delhi  and 
perform  its  functions  at  such  other  place  as  the  Central  Government  may,  in  consultation  with  the 
National Commission, notify in the Official Gazette, from time to time. 

22D.  Vacancy  in  the  office  of  the  President.—When  the  office  of  President  of  a  District  Forum, 
State Commission, or of the National Commission, as the case may be, is vacant or a person occupying 
such office is, by reason of absence or otherwise, unable to perform the duties of his office, these shall be 
performed  by  the  senior-most  member  of  the  District  Forum,  the  State  Commission  or  of  the  National 
Commission, as the case may be: 

Provided that where a retired Judge of a High Court is a member of the National Commission, such 
member or where the number of such members is more than one, the senior-most person amongst such 
members, shall preside over the National Commission in the absence of President of that Commission.] 

1[22E.  Qualifications,  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  President  and  Member.—
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries 
and allowances, resignation, removal and the other terms and conditions of service of the President and 
other members of the National Commission appointed after the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter 
VI of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017), shall be governed by the provisions of section 184 of that Act: 

Provided that the President and member appointed before the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter 
VI of the Finance Act, 2017, shall continue to be governed by the  provisions of this Act, and the rules 
made thereunder as if the provisions of section 184 of the Finance Act, 2017 had not come into force.] 

23. Appeal.—Any person, aggrieved by an order made by the National Commission in exercise of its 
powers conferred by sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of section 21, may prefer an appeal against such order to 
the Supreme Court within a period of thirty days from the date of the order: 

Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty 

days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period: 

2[Provided further that no appeal by a person who is required to pay any amount in terms of an order 
of the National Commission shall be entertained by the Supreme Court unless that person has deposited in 
the prescribed manner fifty per cent. of that amount or rupees fifty thousand, whichever is less.] 

24.  Finality  of  orders.—Every  order  of  a  District  Forum,  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission shall, if no appeal has been preferred against such order under the provisions of this Act, be 
final. 

3[24A.  Limitation  period.—(1)  The  District  Forum,  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission  shall  not  admit  a complaint  unless  it is filed  within  two  years  from  the  date on  which  the 
cause of action has arisen. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a complaint may be entertained after the 
period specified in sub-section (1), if the complainant satisfies the District Forum, the State Commission 
or the National Commission, as the case may be, that he had sufficient cause for not filing the complaint 
as this such period: 

Provided  that  no  such  complaint  shall  be  entertained  unless  the  National  Commission,  the  State 

Commission or the District Forum, as the case may be, records its reasons for condoning such delay. 

24B. Administrative control.—(1) The National Commission shall have administrative control over 

all the State Commissions in the following matters, namely:— 

(i) calling for periodical returns regarding the institution, disposal, pendency of cases; 

(ii)  issuance  of  instructions  regarding  adoption  of  uniform  procedure  in  the  hearing  of  matters, 
prior  service  of  copies  of  documents  produced  by  one  party  to  the  opposite  parties,  furnishing  of 
English translation of judgments written in any language, speedy grant of copies of documents; 

1. Ins. by 7 of 2017, s. 177 (w.e.f. 26-5-2017). 
2. Ins. by 62 of 2002, s. 21 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
3. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 19 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 

21 

 
                                                           
(iii) generally overseeing the functioning of the State Commissions or the District Fora to ensure 
that  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the  Act  are  best  served  without  in  any  way  interfering  with  their 
quasi-judicial freedom. 

(2)  The  State  Commission  shall  have  administrative  control  over  all  the  District  Fora  within  its 

jurisdiction in all matters referred to in sub-section (1).] 

1[25.  Enforcement  of  orders  of  the  District  Forum,  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission.—(1) Where an interim order made under this Act is not complied with, the District Forum 
or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, may order the property of the 
person, not complying with such order to be attached. 

(2) No attachment made under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for more than three months at the 
end of which, if the non-compliance continues, the property attached may be sold and out of the proceeds 
thereof,  the  District  Forum  or  the  State  Commission  or  the  National  Commission  may  award  such 
damages as it thinks fit to the complainant and shall pay the balance, if any, to the party entitled thereto. 

(3)  Where  any  amount  is  due  from  any  person  under  an  order  made  by  a  District  Forum,  State 
Commission  or  the  National  Commission,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  person  entitled  to  the  amount  may 
make an application to the District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case 
may  be,  and  such  District  Forum  or  the  State  Commission  or  the  National  Commission  may  issue  a 
certificate for the said amount to the Collector of the district (by whatever name called) and the Collector 
shall proceed to recover the amount in the same manner as arrears of land revenue.] 

2[26.  Dismissal  of  frivolous  or  vexatious  complaints.—Where  a  complaint  instituted  before  the 
District  Forum,  the  State Commission  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  National  Commission  is found to  be 
frivolous or vexatious, it shall, for reasons to be recorded in writing, dismiss the complaint and make an 
order that the complainant shall pay to the opposite party such cost, not exceeding ten thousand rupees, as 
may be specified in the order.] 

27.  Penalties.—3[(1)]  Where  a  trader  or  a  person  against  whom  a  complaint  is  made  4[or  the 
complainant] fails or omits to comply with any order made by the District Forum, the State Commission 
or  the  National  Commission,  as  the  case  may  be,  such  trader  or  person  4[or  complainant]  shall  be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to 
three years, or with fine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees but which may extend to ten 
thousand rupees, or with both: 

* 

* 

5* 
6[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973  (2 of 1974), the 
District Forum or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, shall have the 
power  of  a  Judicial  Magistrate  of  the  first  class  for  the  trial  of  offences  under  this  Act,  and  on  such 
conferment of powers, the District Forum or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the 
case may be, on whom the powers are so conferred, shall be deemed to be a Judicial Magistrate of the 
first class for the purpose of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

*. 

* 

(3)  All  offences  under  this  Act  may  be  tried  summarily  by  the  District  Forum  or  the  State 

Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be.] 

7[27A. Appeal against order passed under section 27.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in 
the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (2 of 1974), an appeal under section 27, both on facts and on law, 
shall lie from— 

(a) the order made by the District Forum to the State Commission; 

(b) the order made by the State Commission to the National Commission; and 

1. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 22, for section 25 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 20, for section 26  (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
3. S. 27 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 62 of 2002, s. 23 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. Ins. by Act 50 of 1993, s. 21 (w.e.f. 18-6-1993). 
5. Proviso omitted by Act 62 of 2002, s. 23 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
6. Ins. by s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
7. Ins. by s. 24, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(c) the order made by the National Commission to the Supreme Court. 

(2) Except as aforesaid, no appeal shall lie to any court from any order of a District Forum or a State 

Commission or the National Commission. 

(3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of 

an order of a District Forum or a State Commission or, as the case may be, the National Commission: 

Provided that the State Commission or the National Commission or the Supreme Court, as the case 
may be, may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if, it is satisfied that the 
appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of thirty days.] 

CHAPTER IV 

MISCELLANEOUS 

28. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall 
lie against the members of the District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission or any 
officer or person acting under the direction of the District Forum, the State Commission or the National 
Commission for executing any order made by it or in respect of anything which is in good faith done or 
intended to be done by such member, officer or person under this Act or under any rule or order made 
thereunder. 

1[28A. Service of notice, etc.—(1) All notices, required by this Act to be served, shall be served in 

the manner hereinafter mentioned in sub-section (2). 

(2) The service of notices may be made by delivering or transmitting a copy thereof by registered post 
acknowledgment due addressed to opposite party against whom complaint is made or to the complainant 
by speed post or by such courier service as are approved by the District Forum, the State Commission or 
the  National  Commission,  as  the  case  may  be,  or  by  any  other  means  of  transmission  of  documents 
(including FAX message). 

(3) When an acknowledgment or any other receipt purporting to be signed by the opposite party or his 
agent  or  by  the  complainant  is  received  by  the  District  Forum,  the  State  Commission  or  the  National 
Commission, as the case may be, or postal article containing the notice is received back by such District 
Forum,  State  Commission  or  the  National  Commission,  with  an  endorsement  purporting  to  have  been 
made  by  a  postal  employee  or  by  any  person  authorised  by  the  courier  service  to  the  effect  that  the 
opposite party or his agent or complainant had refused to take delivery of the postal article containing the 
notice or had refused to accept the notice by any other means specified in sub-section (2) when tendered 
or  transmitted to  him,  the District  Forum  or  the  State  Commission  or  the  National  Commission, as  the 
case  may  be,  shall  declare  that  the  notice  had  been  duly  served  on  the  opposite  party  or  to  the 
complainant: 

Provided  that  where  the  notice  was  properly  addressed,  pre-paid  and  duly  sent  by  registered  post 
acknowledgment due, a declaration referred to in this sub-section shall be made notwithstanding the fact 
that the acknowledgment has been lost or mislaid, or for any other reason, has not been received by the 
District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, within thirty days 
from the date of issue of notice. 

(4) All notices required to be served on an opposite party or to complainant shall be deemed to be 
sufficiently served, if addressed in the case of the opposite party to the place where business or profession 
is carried and in case of complainant, the place where such person actually and voluntarily resides.] 

29. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty  arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this  Act,  the  Central  Government  may,  by  order  in  the  Official  Gazette,  make  such  provisions  not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the 
difficulty: 

1. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 25 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

23 

 
                                                           
Provided  that  no  such  order  shall  be  made  after  the  expiry  of  a  period  of  two  years  from  the 

commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before each 

House of Parliament. 

1[(3)  If  any  difficulty  arises  in  giving  effect  to  the  provisions  of  the  Consumer  Protection 
(Amendment)  Act,  2002  (62  of  2002),  the  Central  Government  may,  by  order,  do  anything  not 
inconsistent with such provisions for the purpose of removing the difficulty: 

Provided  that  no  such  order  shall  be  made  after  the  expiry  of  a  period  of  two  years  from  the 

commencement of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (62 of 2002). 

(4) Every order made under sub-section (3) shall be laid before each House of Parliament.] 
2[29A. Vacancies or defects in appointment not to invalidate orders.—No act or proceeding of the 
District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission shall be invalid by reason only of the 
existence of any vacancy amongst its members or any defect in the constitution thereof.] 

3[30.  Power  to  make  rules.—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  by  notification,  make  rules  for 

carrying  out  the  provisions  contained  in  clause  (a)  of  sub-section  (1)  of  section  2,  clause  (b)  of                 
sub-section  (2)  of  section  4,  sub-section  (2)  of  section  5,  sub-section  (2)  of  section  12,  clause  (vi)  of                   
sub-section  (4)  of  section  13,  clause  (hb)  of  sub-section  (1)  of  section  14,  section  19,  clause  (b)  of               
sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 20, section 22 and section 23 of this Act. 

(2) The State Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions contained 

in  clause  (b)  of  sub-section  (2)  and  sub-section  (4)  of  section  7,  clause  (b)  of  sub-section  (2)  and                      
sub-section (4) of section 8A, clause (b) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (3) of section 10, clause (c) of 
sub-section (1) of section 13, clause (hb) of sub-section (1) and subsection (3) of section 14, section 15 
and clause (b) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 16 of this Act.] 

 4[30A. Power of the National  Commission to make regulations.—(1) The National Commission 
may,  with  the  previous  approval  of  the  Central  Government,  by  notification,  make  regulations  not 
inconsistent with this Act to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for the 
purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act. 

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may 
make  provisions  for  the  cost  of  adjournment  of  any  proceeding  before  the  District  Forum,  the  State 
Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, which a party may be ordered to pay.] 

5[31. Rules and regulations to be laid before each House of Parliament.—(1) Every rule and every 
regulation  made  under this  Act shall  be  laid,  as  soon  as  may  be  after it  is  made,  before  each  House  of 
Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session 
or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the 
session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or 
regulation or both Houses agree that the rule or regulation should not be made, the rule or regulation shall 
thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that 
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 
under that rule or regulation. 

(2) Every rule made by a State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is 

made, before the State Legislature.] 

1. Ins. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 26 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
2. Ins. by Act 34 of 1991, s. 4 (w.e.f. 15-6-1991). 
3. Subs. by Act 62 of 2002, s. 27, for section 30 (w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
4. Ins. by s. 28, ibid. ((w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 
5. Subs. by s. 29, ibid., for section 31 ((w.e.f. 15-3-2003). 

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